Collapsible shipping crate



Sept. 27, 1932. MFOSHEE 1,879,157

COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPNG CRATE Filed April l2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l q/S. 6. v fg 4 Sept. 27, 1932. M. FosHEE COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CRATE Filed April 12. 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l nvenlor Ma Y0/7 Id e e/ Home y Patented Sept. 27, 1932 PATE NT OFFICE l MASON. FOSHEE, F 'TACIKSOII'VILLE,v FLORIDA COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING GRATEl i Application led April 12,

This invention relates to a collapsible metal bound wood veneer shipping crate for fruits, vegetables and the like, the general object ofthe invention being to provide acrate much less expensive than the crates now on the market, and of less weight than standard crates, which results in a saving of shipping charges, and which can be readily set up in the packing plant and without the expensive equipment now used in packing plants to assemble standard crates.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several partsto be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail,ref

erence will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure l is a side view of a crate constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of an inner side of one of the side members.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of theV end members.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing how the four side forming members are connected together by the bands.

In these drawings, the four sides of the crate are shown at A, B, C, and D, and each end piece at E. While the drawings show the side pieces formed of two slats each it will of course be understood that each side piece may be formed of a single strip or more than two strips and the drawings also show each end piece composed of four pieces arranged in pairs as shown in Fig. 5, but it will also be understood that these -end pieces can be formed in any other desired manner.

In carrying out my invention, I connectV the four side pieces A, B, C and D together by metal bands 1, any desired number of which can be used at each end of said side pieces, the drawings showing a pair of bands at each end and these bands may be connected 1.93.2.A Semaine. 604,816.

to the outside cleats 2 as shown'or they be connected directly to the side pieces.

rIhose portions of the bands between the may individual strips forming the four side pieces should be of sulhcient length to permit the side pieces to be folded upon each other to form` a compact bundle. As shown in Fig. 6, the ends 2 ofthe bands 1 project lfrom the adjacent strips and these projecting ends can besuitablyfastened to the ends 3, such as for instance by a! standard lap stapler.

vWhen this isV done, the bodyof the box is finished and it can be folded fiat and bundled. Side cleats 4 are attachedv to the four side members at one end lof the box and these cleats are of less length than the width of the side members as shown in Fig.l 4 so as to not interfere lwith the folding of the side members. One of the end pieces or headV E is placed against these cleats and then therbox is filled after which the other end piece E or headis placed Vunder aV cleat similar to the cleat 4 which is fastened to the inside of one of the side members at the oppositeV endof theV crate. y K

The other three cleats for .this end of the box are shipped loose to the packer. After the said end or head E is placed under this single cleat the other cleats are putin place so that the articles in the 'cra-te or box will be held therein and the pressure of said articles will hold the end pieces or heads in position by pressing them againstthe cleats 4.

' `When a Center 'hea-d is used,'four 'cleats similar to thatshown at 4 in Fig; 4 are fas` tened tothe four side members in the center of the crate to support the; said center head and thesecleats can also be putin place'by the manufacturer. vWhen ythe'bulge pack is del ends and the center piece, if used, also packs fiat and the three loose cleats can be put in place by the packer after the crate has been packed to hold the top end in position.

Then when the shipper receives the parts, he simply opens the package forming the four sides inserts one of the endsl so that it will rest against the cleats 4 at one end of the body and then packs the fruit and then places the other` end under the single cleat at the opposite end of the body and then fastens the other three cleats in position.

It will of course be understood that if desired, but two cleats can be used forholding each end in position and that instead of using continuous bands as shown in Fig. 6, short strips can be used to fasten the individual pieces together.

i With this invention wood veneer materials can be used from one-eighth to one-fourth inch in thickness.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

lt is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is l. A crate of the class described comprising four side members formed of longitudinally extending thin strips and transversely extending exterior cleats, one member form ing the top of the crate, another the bottom thereof and the remaining ones the sides of the crate, metallic bands ofY flexible material passing transversely around the crate and connecting the members together in spaced relation, each band having its ends permanently connected together, those portions of the bands between the members being of suicient length to permit the members to be folded fiat with the top member on one side memy ber and the other side member on the bottom member,`a pair of end members and cleats fastened to the inner faces of the side members adjacent the ends thereof for holding the end members in place. Y

2. A crate of the class described comprising four side members formed of longitudinally extending thin strips and transversely eXtending exterior cleats, one member vforming the top of the crate, another the bottom thereof and the remaining ones the sides of the crate, metallic bands of flexible material passing transversely around the crateand connecting the members together in spaced relation, each band having its ends permanently connected together, those portions of the bands' between the members being of sufficient length to permit the members to be folded flat with the top memberY on one side member ing the second end member in place.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MASON FOSHEE.

and the other side member onk the bottom 

